US11275913B2 - Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith - Google Patents

Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US11275913B2
US11275913B2 US16/698,037 US201916698037A US11275913B2 US 11275913 B2 US11275913 B2 US 11275913B2 US 201916698037 A US201916698037 A US 201916698037A US 11275913 B2 US11275913 B2 US 11275913B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
light
aiming
fov
optical element
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US16/698,037
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20210157994A1 (en
Inventor
Yuri Astvatsaturov
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Zebra Technologies Corp
Original Assignee
Zebra Technologies Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zebra Technologies Corp filed Critical Zebra Technologies Corp
Priority to US16/698,037 priority Critical patent/US11275913B2/en
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LASER BAND, LLC, TEMPTIME CORPORATION, ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Assigned to ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION reassignment ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ASTVATSATUROV, Yuri
Priority to GB2207834.9A priority patent/GB2606285B/en
Priority to DE112020005808.5T priority patent/DE112020005808T5/de
Priority to AU2020391337A priority patent/AU2020391337B2/en
Priority to GB2213895.2A priority patent/GB2609322B/en
Priority to PCT/US2020/052120 priority patent/WO2021108019A1/fr
Priority to KR1020227017443A priority patent/KR102497073B1/ko
Assigned to TEMPTIME CORPORATION, ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LASER BAND, LLC reassignment TEMPTIME CORPORATION RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Publication of US20210157994A1 publication Critical patent/US20210157994A1/en
Priority to US17/694,146 priority patent/US11704512B2/en
Publication of US11275913B2 publication Critical patent/US11275913B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10712—Fixed beam scanning
    • G06K7/10722—Photodetector array or CCD scanning
    • G06K7/10732—Light sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10554—Moving beam scanning
    • G06K7/10564—Light sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
    • G06K7/10831—Arrangement of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
    • G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
    • G06K7/1404—Methods for optical code recognition
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
    • G06K7/1404—Methods for optical code recognition
    • G06K7/1408—Methods for optical code recognition the method being specifically adapted for the type of code
    • G06K7/1413—1D bar codes

Definitions

  • Barcode readers are commonly used throughout various industries and in a wide array of environments to read barcodes.
  • these barcode readers include an aiming assembly that is designed to project an aim patterns into the field of view (FOV) of the barcode reader and indicate to the user some positional aspect of the reader's FOV.
  • FOV field of view
  • the present invention is an apparatus that includes a housing, an imaging assembly and an aiming assembly.
  • the housing has a cavity, a window and an optical element, with the imaging assembly and aiming assembly being disposed within the cavity.
  • the imaging assembly has an imager with a field-of-view (FOV) extending through the window.
  • the FOV has a central FOV axis and a boundary FOV axis non-parallel relative to the central FOV axis.
  • the imager is configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a target and light emitted from the target.
  • the aiming assembly is configured to provide an aiming light through the optical element, and the optical element is configured to direct the aiming light parallel to the boundary FOV axis, such that the aiming light projects an image on the target that indicates the boundary of the FOV.
  • the optical element is a light guide having a first surface, a second surface, an entry surface and an exit surface.
  • the light guide is configured to receive aiming light from the aiming assembly at the entry surface and direct the aiming light parallel to the boundary FOV axis at the exit surface.
  • the entry surface is configured to direct the aiming light to the first surface
  • the first surface is configured to reflect the aiming light to the second surface
  • the second surface is configured to reflect the aiming light to the exit surface.
  • the light guide is configured to reflect the aiming light between the first and second surfaces at least twice before exiting the light guide at the exit surface.
  • At least one of the entry surface and the exit surface is at least one of a concave surface pattern and a convex surface pattern. In a yet a further variation of this embodiment, at least one of the entry surface and the exit surface is a flat surface pattern.
  • the window has a first portion and a second portion, the FOV extends through the first portion, and the second portion has the optical element.
  • the first portion comprises an interior area of the window
  • the second portion comprises an area of the window peripheral to the interior area of the window.
  • the second portion has a plurality of regions
  • the optical element has a plurality of optical sub-elements each corresponding to one of the plurality of regions.
  • the aiming assembly has a plurality of aiming light sources each corresponding to one of the plurality of optical sub-elements.
  • the optical element has a light pipe extending to at least two of the plurality of sub-elements, and the aiming light assembly is configured to direct the aiming light into the light pipe.
  • an illumination assembly is positioned within the housing and configured to emit light through the optical element onto the target to illuminate the target for image capture.
  • the present invention is an apparatus having a housing, an imaging assembly and an aiming assembly.
  • the housing has a cavity, a window and an optical element, with the imaging assembly and aiming assembly being disposed within the cavity.
  • the imaging assembly has an imager with a FOV extending through the window.
  • the FOV has a central FOV axis and a boundary FOV axis non-parallel relative to the central FOV axis.
  • the imager is configured to capture at least one of: light reflected from a target and light emitted from the target.
  • the aiming assembly is configured to provide an aiming light through the optical element.
  • the aiming light has a central aiming axis, and the optical element is configured to reposition the central aiming axis from a central source axis of a source of the aiming light to a central exit axis of an exit of the optical element.
  • the central source axis is non-coaxial with the central exit axis.
  • the optical element is a light guide having a first surface, a second surface, an entry surface and an exit surface.
  • the light guide is configured to receive aiming light from the aiming assembly at the entry surface and direct the aiming light parallel to the central FOV axis at the exit surface.
  • the entry surface is configured to direct the aiming light to the first surface
  • the first surface is configured to reflect the aiming light to the second surface
  • the second surface is configured to reflect the aiming light to the exit surface.
  • the light guide is configured to reflect the aiming light between the first and second surfaces at least twice before exiting the light guide at the exit surface.
  • At least one of the entry surface and the exit surface is at least one of a concave surface pattern and a convex surface pattern. In a yet a further variation of this embodiment, at least one of the entry surface and the exit surface is a flat surface pattern.
  • the window has a first portion and a second portion, the FOV extends through the first portion, and the second portion has the optical element.
  • the first portion comprises an interior area of the window
  • the second portion comprises an area of the window peripheral to the interior area of the window.
  • the second portion has a plurality of regions
  • the optical element has a plurality of optical sub-elements each corresponding to one of the plurality of regions.
  • the aiming assembly has a plurality of aiming light sources each corresponding to one of the plurality of optical sub-elements.
  • the optical element has a light pipe extending to at least two of the plurality of sub-elements, and the aiming light assembly is configured to direct the aiming light into the light pipe.
  • an illumination assembly is positioned within the housing and configured to emit light through the optical element onto the target to illuminate the target for image capture.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front and back view of an optical imaging reader in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of various components of the reader of FIG. 1 in accordance an embodiment.
  • FIGS. 3-6 are perspective rear views of the reader of FIG. 1 and images of aiming patterns projected on an imaging plane in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 7 is a simplified, exploded view of part of the reader of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of the reader of FIG. 1 showing a window and aiming assembly in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of the reader of FIG. 1 showing a window and aiming assembly in accordance with another embodiment.
  • FIGS. 10-12 are perspective and simplified front views of a window and light guide in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary embodiments of an optical imaging reader 100 (also referred to as a barcode reader) and the components thereof.
  • this disclosure does not apply exclusively to barcode readers 100 , and is instead applicable to any device employing an image assembly with a field-of-view (FOV) and an aiming assembly operable to provide illuminated aiming patterns.
  • FOV field-of-view
  • aiming assembly operable to provide illuminated aiming patterns.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary barcode reader 100 having a housing 102 with a handle portion 104 , also referred to as a handle 104 , and a head portion 106 , also referred to as a scanning head 106 .
  • the head portion 106 includes a window 108 , and is configured to be positioned on the top of the handle portion 104 .
  • the handle portion 104 is configured to be gripped by a reader user (not shown) and includes a trigger 110 for activation by the user.
  • a base also referred to as a base portion, that may be attached to the handle portion 104 opposite the head portion 106 , and is configured to stand on a surface and support the housing 102 in a generally upright position.
  • the barcode reader 100 can be used in a hands-free mode as a stationary workstation when it is placed on a countertop or other workstation surface.
  • the barcode reader 100 can also be used in a handheld mode when it is picked up off the countertop or base station, and held in an operator's hand.
  • products can be slid, swiped past, or presented to the window 108 for the reader to initiate barcode reading operations.
  • the barcode reader 100 can be moved towards a barcode on a product, and the trigger 110 can be manually depressed to initiate imaging of the barcode.
  • the reader 100 is ergonomically configured for a user's hand as a gun-shaped housing 102 , though other configurations may be utilized as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the lower handle 104 extends below and rearwardly away from the body 102 along a centroidal axis obliquely angled relative to a central FOV axis of a FOV of an imaging assembly within the scanning head 102 .
  • an imaging assembly includes a light-detecting sensor or imager 111 operatively coupled to, or mounted on, a printed circuit board (PCB) 114 in the reader 100 as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the imager 111 is a solid-state device, for example, a CCD or a CMOS imager, having a one-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in a single row, or a two-dimensional array of addressable image sensors or pixels arranged in mutually orthogonal rows and columns, and operative for detecting return light captured by an imaging lens assembly 115 over a field of view along an imaging axis 117 through the window 108 .
  • the return light is scattered and/or reflected from a target 113 over the field of view.
  • the imaging lens assembly 115 is operative for focusing the return light onto the array of image sensors to enable the target 113 to be read.
  • the light that impinges on the pixels is sensed and the output of those pixels produce image data that is associated with the environment that appears within the FOV (which can include the target 113 ).
  • This image data is typically processed by a controller (usually by being sent to a decoder) which identifies and decodes decodable indicial captured in the image data. Once the decode is performed successfully, the reader can signal a successful “read” of the target 113 (e.g., a barcode).
  • the target 113 may be located anywhere in a working range of distances between a close-in working distance (WD 1 ) and a far-out working distance (WD 2 ).
  • WD 1 is about one-half inch from the window 106
  • WD 2 is about thirty inches from the window 106 .
  • the illuminating light assembly includes an illumination light source, such as at least one light emitting diode (LED) 119 and at least one illumination lens 121 , and preferably a plurality of illumination LEDs and illumination lenses, configured to generate a substantially uniform distributed illumination pattern of illumination light on and along the target 113 to be read by image capture. At least part of the scattered and/or reflected return light is derived from the illumination pattern of light on and along the target 113 .
  • LED light emitting diode
  • An aiming light assembly is also mounted in the imaging reader 100 and preferably includes an aiming light source 123 , e.g., one or more aiming LEDs or laser light sources, and an aiming lens 125 for generating and directing a visible aiming light beam away from the reader 100 onto the target 113 in the direction of the FOV of the imager 111 .
  • the aiming light beam has a cross-section with a pattern, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 3-6 .
  • FIGS. 3-6 there is depicted a barcode reader 100 , an imaging axis 117 , the FOV of the imaging assembly, and an aiming light pattern 130 A- 130 D.
  • the aiming light pattern 130 A is a complete bounding of the FOV
  • the aiming light patterns 130 B, 130 C are a partial boundings of the FOV.
  • the aiming light pattern 130 B bounds a portion of the sides of the FOV
  • the aiming light pattern 130 C bounds the corners of the FOV (e.g., the inverse of the aiming light pattern 130 B).
  • the partial boundaries of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be achieved using apertures and/or obscurator (i.e., an element that blocks/obscures light from passing) on the window 108 .
  • apertures and/or obscurator i.e., an element that blocks/obscures light from passing
  • the aiming light pattern 130 D indicates the center of the FOV, namely the imaging axis 117 .
  • the aiming light pattern 130 D bounds or surrounds the imaging axis 117 , such that the aiming light is projected parallel to the imaging 117 , though not colinear with the imaging axis 117 .
  • a notable gap between the FOV and the aiming light patterns 130 A- 130 C in FIGS. 3-5 respectively, it will be understood that this gap is for illustration only to show the FOV boundary and the aiming light patterns 130 A- 130 C indicating the FOV boundary.
  • the aiming light patterns 130 A- 130 C can be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the FOV boundary, such that any distinction between the aiming light pattern and the FOV boundary is practically imperceptible to the human eye and/or such that the aiming light pattern and the FOV boundary are substantially adjacent to each other when projected on an imaging plane.
  • the cross-sectional patterns depicted in FIGS. 3-6 are not exclusive, and other patterns may be projected onto an imaging plane using the disclosed aim light assembly techniques.
  • the imager 111 , the illumination source 119 , and the aiming source 123 are operatively connected to a controller or programmed microprocessor 127 operative for controlling the operation of these components.
  • a memory 129 is connected and accessible to the controller 127 .
  • the microprocessor 127 is the same as the one used for processing the captured return light from the illuminated target 113 to obtain data related to the target 113 .
  • the simplified, partial exploded embodiment of the barcode reader 100 in FIG. 7 shows how the aiming sources 123 and illumination sources 119 can be mounted on the same PCB 114 and align with various optical elements (explained further below) in the window 108 .
  • the reader 100 is provided with four aiming assemblies arranged in a cross pattern, as well as four illumination assemblies arranged in a square pattern.
  • other embodiments may utilize different optical elements, different numbers of aiming assemblies and illumination assemblies, and different placement of aiming assemblies and illumination assemblies.
  • additional optical elements such as collimators, lenses, apertures, compartment walls, etc. are provided in the head portion 106 of the housing.
  • FIGS. 2 and 7 shows the imager 111 , the illumination source 119 , and the aiming source 123 as being mounted on the same PCB 114 , it should be understood that different embodiments of the reader 100 may have these components each on a separate PCB, or in different combinations on separate PCBs.
  • the illumination LED source is provided as an off-axis illumination (i.e., has a central illumination axis that is not parallel to the central FOV axis).
  • an embodiment of the reader 100 has the window 108 provided as two portions, each having a different refractive index.
  • a first portion 202 of the window 108 is positioned within the path of the imaging assembly FOV, so as to allow an unobstructed path for the FOV.
  • the refractive index of the first portion 202 can be relatively low.
  • the first portion can be made from crown glass having a refractive index of approximately 1.5.
  • the imager 111 itself is positioned directly behind the first portion 202 , though in other embodiments the imager 111 may be provided elsewhere in the housing 102 with one or more optical elements to direct the FOV through the first portion 202 .
  • the imager 111 may be provided on the same printed circuit board (not shown) and the aiming LED(s) 123 , thereby minimizing the amount of space within the housing 102 taken up by internal components of the reader 100 and/or allowing a greater degree of freedom in placing the aiming LED(s) 123 .
  • a second portion 204 of the window 108 has a refractive index different than, and generally greater than, the refractive index of the first portion 202 (e.g., approx. 2.75).
  • the second portion 202 is provided as a light guide having an entry surface 206 , a first surface 208 , a second surface 210 , and an exit surface 212 .
  • the emitted aim light 214 is incident upon the entry surface 206 , and the entry surface 206 redirects the majority, and preferably substantially all, of the emitted aiming light impinging the entry surface 206 into the light guide 204 .
  • the entry surface 206 is angled relative to the central axis of the emitted aim light 214 , such that substantially all of the aim light 214 impinging the entry surface 206 is directed into the light guide 204 towards the first surface 208 at an angle of incidence greater than the critical angle.
  • the first surface 208 then redirects the aim light 214 to the second surface 210 .
  • the second surface 210 redirects the aim light 214 towards the exit surface 212 , such that the light guide 204 internally reflects the aiming light 214 between the first and second surfaces 208 , 210 twice before exiting the light guide at the exit surface 212 .
  • the aim light 214 may be internally reflected more than twice before being incident upon the exit surface 212 , as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the light guide 204 provides total internal reflection of the emitted aim light 214 that enters the light guide 204 . It is understood, however, that references to total internal reflection and refraction of light into or out of the light guide are not to be rigidly interpreted as requiring 100% of the light to be reflected or refracted. Those in the relevant field will appreciate that due to manufacturing tolerances and the nature of material surfaces, upon a light beam impinging on a surface and refracting past that surface, a reasonably small amount of light may be reflected off that surface. Likewise, upon a light beam impinging on a surface and reflecting off that surface via, what would be considered total internal reflection, a reasonably small amount of light may be refracted past that surface.
  • references to the term “total internal reflection” or “internal reflection” refer to a light beam being incident upon surface at an angle greater than the critical angle of the medium, where the critical angle is determined from Snell's Law
  • references to the term “refraction” refer to a light beam being incident upon surface at an angle less than the critical angle of the medium, where the critical angle is determined from Snell's Law.
  • the aim light 214 is reflected off the second surface 210 towards the exit surface 212 , at which point the aim light 214 exits the light guide 206 .
  • the angle of the exit surface 212 relative to the first and second surfaces 208 , 210 refracts the aim light 214 such that the aim light 214 exits the light guide 204 parallel or substantially parallel to a FOV boundary 216 of the FOV. More particularly, the aim light 214 exits the light guide 206 substantially coplanar with the FOV boundary 216 throughout the working range of the reader 100 .
  • the aim light 214 tracks the FOV of the imaging assembly as the FOV grows with distance from the window 108 , such that when the aim light 214 is incident upon the imaging plane, the appearance of the aim light 214 accurately indicates the boundary of the FOV on the imaging plane without or substantially without parallax.
  • the illumination assembly such as the illumination LED 119 and the illumination lens 121 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ), may be positioned behind the optical element 204 relative to the imaging plane, and provide target illumination for the reader 100 through the optical element 204 .
  • the illumination light 218 from the illumination source 119 is incident upon the second surface 210 , albeit from the opposite direction of the aim light 214 , which is then refracted by the optical element 204 and expanded out the first surface 208 to illuminate the target 113 .
  • the optical element may act as an aiming lens for the illumination source.
  • the illumination source 119 along with the illumination lens 121 can be laterally shifted (see FIG.
  • the illumination lens can be configured to direct the illumination light over a desired range without the influence of the optical element 204 .
  • FIG. 9 depicts an alternative embodiment of the reader 100 , the elements of the reader 100 being generally the same as those of the embodiment FIG. 8 , with differences in the optical element 206 .
  • the window 108 has two portions, each having a different refractive index.
  • a first portion 302 of the window 108 is positioned within the path of the imaging assembly FOV, so as to allow an unobstructed path for the FOV of the imaging assembly, with the imager 111 positioned directly behind the first portion 302 .
  • an optical element 304 which again may be a light guide, has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the first portion 302 (e.g., approx. 2.75), and has an entry surface 306 , a first surface 308 , a second surface 310 , and an exit surface 312 .
  • the emitted aim light 214 is incident upon the entry surface 306 , and the entry surface 306 redirects the majority, and preferably substantially all, of the impinging aiming light into the light guide 304 .
  • the illumination source 119 may be positioned behind the optical element 304 relative to the imaging plane, which, in turn, refracts and expands the illumination light so as illuminate the target 113 for the reader 100 , or the illumination source 119 may be laterally shifted to avoid the optical element 304 .
  • the aim light 214 is refracted by the entry surface 306 and incident upon the first surface 308 at an angle greater than the critical angle as determined from Snell's Law, so as to create total internal reflection of the aim light 214 within the light guide 304 , as described above.
  • the first surface 308 then redirects the aim light 214 to the second surface 310 .
  • the second surface 310 redirects the aim light 214 towards the exit surface 312 , such that the light guide 304 internally reflects the aiming light 214 between the first and second surfaces 308 , 310 twice before exiting the light guide at the exit surface 312 .
  • the aim light 214 may be internally reflected more than twice before being incident upon the exit surface 312 , as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • the aim light 214 exits the light guide 306 .
  • the angle of the exit surface 312 relative to the first and second surfaces 308 , 310 refracts the aim light 214 such that the aim light 214 exits the light guide 304 parallel to the central FOV axis 117 of the imager 111 .
  • the aim light 214 tracks the central FOV axis of the imaging assembly, even as the FOV grows with distance from the window 108 , such that when the aim light 214 is incident upon the imaging plane, the appearance of the aim light 214 accurately indicates the approximate center of the FOV (e.g., the imaging axis 117 ).
  • the angle of the exit surface 312 does not have to be the only angle that is varied to achieve the desired directionality of the aim pattern. That is, the angles of any one or more of the surfaces 306 , 308 , 310 , 312 may be varied to affect how the aiming light 214 exits the light guide ultimately travels down range. It will be further understood that this is the case not just for the currently described embodiment, but for any embodiment falling within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the entry surface 206 , 306 is angled relative to the central aim axis or the direction of a collimated beam of the aiming light and relative to the first surface 208 , 308 so as to achieve a refraction of a majority, and preferably a substantial totality, of the aiming light impinging thereon into the optical element 204 , 304 and total internal reflection of the aim light 214 within the optical element 204 , 304 .
  • the first surface 208 , 308 is angled (and in some embodiments is parallel) relative to the second surface 210 , 310 , so as to reflect and guide, via total internal reflection, the aim light 214 towards the exit surface 212 , 312 .
  • the first surface 208 , 308 and the second surface 210 , 310 are angled at approximately 116.5 degrees (+/ ⁇ 0.5 degrees) relative to the central FOV axis.
  • the exit surface 212 , 312 is angled relative to the central FOV axis so as to refract and direct the aim light 214 at a desired angle relative to the central FOV axis.
  • the angle of the exit surface in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 is approximately 68 degrees (+/ ⁇ 0.5 degrees) relative to the central FOV axis.
  • the particular angles are dependent upon the refractive indices of the light guide 204 , 304 and any medium (including air) that abuts any surface of the light guide where the aim light impinges thereon.
  • the specific angles of the surfaces of the light guide 204 , 304 can depend on the refractive index of the light guide 204 , 304 and/or the difference in refractive index between the light guide 204 , 304 and the medium incident upon the entry surface 206 , 306 (e.g., air, a second light guide to guide the aim light 214 to the entry surface 206 , 306 and/or the window 108 ).
  • reflective material such as reflective coatings, may be used on any of the surfaces 206 - 212 , 306 - 312 .
  • the angle of the entry surface 206 is approximately 64 degrees (+/ ⁇ 0.5 degrees), whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 9 the angle of the entry surface 306 is approximately 49 degrees (+/ ⁇ 0.5 degrees).
  • This difference in angle changes how the aim light 214 is refracted into the light guide, which, in turn, changes how the aim light 214 is refracted by the exit surface 206 , 306 .
  • the angle of the entry surface 206 of the light guide 204 relative to the central aiming axis in FIG. 8 is such that the aim light 214 is reflected within the waveguide 204 so as to be refracted by the exit surface 212 at an angle parallel to the FOV boundary of the imaging assembly.
  • the angle of the entry surface 306 of the light guide 304 relative to the central aiming axis in FIG. 9 is such that the aim light 214 is reflected parallel to the central FOV axis of the imaging assembly.
  • the aim light 214 may be manipulated further based on the curvature of the entry surface 206 , 306 , the first surface 208 , 308 , the second surface 210 , 310 , and/or the exit surface 212 , 312 .
  • the light guide 304 is shown to have multiple sections or sub-elements 304 A- 304 D.
  • the aim source can generally be a dot source for the aim light 214 .
  • the entry surface 306 of sub-element 304 A is concave such that the aim light 214 is widened laterally between incidence upon the entry surface 306 and upon incidence on the exit surface 312 .
  • the exit surface 312 is also concave so as to collimate the aim light 214 longitudinally, thereby creating a beam of light that remains parallel to, though not colinear with, the imaging axis 117 even as the FOV boundary widens with working distance.
  • the effect of the collimated beam is that it creates an image of a line on the imaging plane that can act as a reference for the central imaging axis 117 .
  • the entry and exit surfaces of the other sub-elements 3046 - 304 D may be similarly curved so as to form a small box indicating the center of the FOV of the imaging assembly.
  • the aim source can generally be a dot source for the aim light 214 .
  • the entry surface 206 of light guide 204 is concave such that the aim light 214 is widened laterally between incidence upon the entry surface 206 and upon incidence on the exit surface 212 .
  • the exit surface 212 is also concave so as to narrow the aim light 214 longitudinally, thereby creating a beam of light that widens laterally with the adjacent FOV boundary as both the aim light and the FOV extend away from the reader.
  • the effect of the narrowed beam is that it creates an image of a line on the imaging plane that can act as a reference for the adjacent boundary of the FOV.
  • the entry and exit surfaces of the other light guides may be similarly curved so as to form, e.g., a box indicating the boundaries of the FOV of the imaging assembly.
  • the entry surface 206 , 306 and exit surface 212 , 312 of each sub-element may be convex so as to vary the aim pattern as desired.
  • an embodiment of the optical element 304 and window 108 may further include incorporating the illumination lens 121 in the window 108 for each of a plurality of illumination sources so as to deliver the illumination light onto the imaging plane and illuminate the target 113 .
  • a single source may be provided in combination with a light pipe extending from the source to optical sub-element or lens, such that the light source directs the light into the light pipe in order to direct the light to the light guide 204 , 304 and/or illumination lens 121 .
  • At least some embodiments of the present invention can lead to advantageous designs which allow aim light patterns to be emitted in a manner that is adjacent to FOV boundaries and avoid the effects of parallax as the aim light pattern extends away from the imaging assembly.
  • the aforementioned emission of light can be achieved regardless of the proximity of the aim light source to the imager.
  • this can allow for easier design of imaging assemblies such that the aiming sources do not need to be positioned in extremely close proximity to the imaging sensor, especially since circuit board space near and/or around the imager may be occupied by various circuit traces, preventing the positioning of the aim light sources in the desired locations.
  • logic circuit is expressly defined as a physical device including at least one hardware component configured (e.g., via operation in accordance with a predetermined configuration and/or via execution of stored machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and/or perform operations of one or more machines.
  • Examples of a logic circuit include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices.
  • Some example logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs are specifically configured hardware for performing operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if such are present).
  • Some example logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if such are present). Some example logic circuits include a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes machine-readable instructions.
  • the above description refers to various operations described herein and flowcharts that may be appended hereto to illustrate the flow of those operations. Any such flowcharts are representative of example methods disclosed herein. In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams. Alternative implementations of example methods disclosed herein may include additional or alternative operations. Further, operations of alternative implementations of the methods disclosed herein may combined, divided, re-arranged or omitted.
  • the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., processor(s)).
  • the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., ASIC(s)).
  • the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of specifically designed logic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by logic circuit(s).
  • each of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,” “non-transitory machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage device” is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a digital versatile disc, a compact disc, flash memory, read-only memory, random-access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of, for example, software and/or firmware) are stored for any suitable duration of time (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is executing), and/or a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and/or during a buffering process)).
  • machine-readable instructions e.g., program code in the form of, for example, software and/or firmware
  • each of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,” “non-transitory machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage device” is expressly defined to exclude propagating signals. That is, as used in any claim of this patent, none of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,” “non-transitory machine-readable medium,” and “machine-readable storage device” can be read to be implemented by a propagating signal.
  • a includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element.
  • the terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.
  • the terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%.
  • the term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.
  • a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Image Input (AREA)
  • Facsimile Scanning Arrangements (AREA)
  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Stroboscope Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
US16/698,037 2019-11-27 2019-11-27 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith Active 2040-02-14 US11275913B2 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/698,037 US11275913B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2019-11-27 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
KR1020227017443A KR102497073B1 (ko) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 바코드 판독기들에서 사용하기 위한 조준 광 조립체들 및 그와 연관된 방법들 및 시스템들
PCT/US2020/052120 WO2021108019A1 (fr) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 Ensembles de lumière de visée destinés à être utilisés dans des lecteurs de codes à barres et procédés et systèmes associés à ceux-ci
DE112020005808.5T DE112020005808T5 (de) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 Ziellichtbaugruppen zur verwendung in strichcodelesern und damit verbundene verfahren und systeme
AU2020391337A AU2020391337B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
GB2213895.2A GB2609322B (en) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
GB2207834.9A GB2606285B (en) 2019-11-27 2020-09-23 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
US17/694,146 US11704512B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2022-03-14 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/698,037 US11275913B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2019-11-27 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/694,146 Continuation US11704512B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2022-03-14 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20210157994A1 US20210157994A1 (en) 2021-05-27
US11275913B2 true US11275913B2 (en) 2022-03-15

Family

ID=75975372

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/698,037 Active 2040-02-14 US11275913B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2019-11-27 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
US17/694,146 Active US11704512B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2022-03-14 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/694,146 Active US11704512B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2022-03-14 Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US11275913B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR102497073B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2020391337B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE112020005808T5 (fr)
GB (2) GB2609322B (fr)
WO (1) WO2021108019A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD927049S1 (en) * 2020-02-13 2021-08-03 Cognex Corporation Cover plate of a lighting device for imaging systems

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6122256A (en) * 1997-08-18 2000-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Fail-safe communications network for use in system power control
US6267294B1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2001-07-31 Robotic Vision Systems Inc. Method of operating a charge coupled device in an accelerated mode, and in conjunction with an optical symbology imager
US20080142600A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Eugene Joseph System and method for reading codes on a specular background
US8113430B2 (en) * 2005-12-30 2012-02-14 Datalogic Scanning Group S.R.L. Illumination lens for optical code reader
US8517272B1 (en) * 2012-04-25 2013-08-27 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Method to differentiate aiming from active decoding
US9639728B1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2017-05-02 Symbol Technologies, Llc Imaging module and reader for, and method of, reading a target over a field of view by image capture with a visually prominent indicator of a center zone of the field of view
US10133897B1 (en) * 2017-07-13 2018-11-20 Datalogic Ip Tech S.R.L. Aiming system based on multiple colors transition spot pattern
US10515244B2 (en) * 2018-03-22 2019-12-24 Symbol Technologies, Llc Barcode reader with aligned linear fields of view

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6122256A (en) * 1997-08-18 2000-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Fail-safe communications network for use in system power control
US6267294B1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2001-07-31 Robotic Vision Systems Inc. Method of operating a charge coupled device in an accelerated mode, and in conjunction with an optical symbology imager
US8113430B2 (en) * 2005-12-30 2012-02-14 Datalogic Scanning Group S.R.L. Illumination lens for optical code reader
US20080142600A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Eugene Joseph System and method for reading codes on a specular background
US8517272B1 (en) * 2012-04-25 2013-08-27 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Method to differentiate aiming from active decoding
US9639728B1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2017-05-02 Symbol Technologies, Llc Imaging module and reader for, and method of, reading a target over a field of view by image capture with a visually prominent indicator of a center zone of the field of view
US10133897B1 (en) * 2017-07-13 2018-11-20 Datalogic Ip Tech S.R.L. Aiming system based on multiple colors transition spot pattern
US10515244B2 (en) * 2018-03-22 2019-12-24 Symbol Technologies, Llc Barcode reader with aligned linear fields of view

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2020/052120 dated Oct. 19, 2020.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2609322A (en) 2023-02-01
KR102497073B1 (ko) 2023-02-06
US20220198163A1 (en) 2022-06-23
DE112020005808T5 (de) 2022-10-06
AU2020391337A1 (en) 2022-05-12
US11704512B2 (en) 2023-07-18
GB2606285A (en) 2022-11-02
GB202207834D0 (en) 2022-07-13
AU2020391337B2 (en) 2022-11-24
GB202213895D0 (en) 2022-11-09
GB2606285B (en) 2023-05-17
WO2021108019A1 (fr) 2021-06-03
US20210157994A1 (en) 2021-05-27
KR20220073866A (ko) 2022-06-03
GB2609322B (en) 2024-05-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2577558B1 (fr) Agencement et procédé de génération de diagramme d'éclairement uniformément distribué pour lecteur d'imagerie
US10489623B1 (en) Multiple imaging assembly for a reader
US9185306B1 (en) Imaging module and reader for, and method of, illuminating and imaging targets to be read over an extended range of working distances
US8876006B2 (en) Compact imaging module with adjustable aiming pattern and arrangement for and method of spatially adjusting the aiming pattern
CN110378159B (zh) 用于在条形码读取器中使用的照明组件及其相关联设备和方法
US8534556B2 (en) Arrangement for and method of reducing vertical parallax between an aiming pattern and an imaging field of view in a linear imaging reader
US9141833B2 (en) Compact aiming light assembly and imaging module for, and method of, generating an aiming light spot with increased brightness and uniformity from a light-emitting diode over an extended working distance range in an imaging reader
US10929623B2 (en) Imaging module and reader for, and method of, reading targets by image capture over a range of working distances with multi-functional aiming light pattern
US11704512B2 (en) Aim light assemblies for use in barcode readers and methods and systems associated therewith
US20150371070A1 (en) Efficient optical illumination system and method for an imaging reader
US11003882B2 (en) Apparatus and method for reducing the effect of aim light aberrations in a barcode reader
US8752767B2 (en) Illumination system with prism for use in imaging scanner
US10055624B2 (en) Module and system for, and method of, directing an aiming pattern on, and illuminating, a target to be electro-optically read by image capture
US20230067508A1 (en) Telephoto Lens for Compact Long Range Barcode Reader

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., NEW YORK

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION;LASER BAND, LLC;TEMPTIME CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:053841/0212

Effective date: 20200901

AS Assignment

Owner name: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ASTVATSATUROV, YURI;REEL/FRAME:053847/0634

Effective date: 20200921

AS Assignment

Owner name: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, ILLINOIS

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:056036/0590

Effective date: 20210225

Owner name: LASER BAND, LLC, ILLINOIS

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:056036/0590

Effective date: 20210225

Owner name: TEMPTIME CORPORATION, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:056036/0590

Effective date: 20210225

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE AFTER FINAL ACTION FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

STCV Information on status: appeal procedure

Free format text: NOTICE OF APPEAL FILED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE